These posts had already been started and in the making when the Civil War broke out. These new posts created a new economy for all Texans. The people migrating from the eastern states were bringing new industry and blacksmith shops to the new areas. The blacksmith shops were established in every community. These shops were a vital part of the recovery from the troubling times. Onega was no different.

One of the objectives of the new and powerful federal government was to create a peaceful existence with trade and a safe climate. However, the Native Americans from the Plains tribes had other thoughts and efforts. The troops were not accepted by the Native Americans, because the troops’ purpose was to liquidate the remaining natives which included the wild savages.

It was during this time that many of the settlers were mixed together and the Native Americans were intermingling with the whites and a new culture was becoming a reality.

The local churches were going through troubling times. Church attendance was low; there were casualties of the ministry and dangers everywhere. The Dallas and Denton county area preachers had a difficult time keeping the church families in attendance.

The Methodist church of Onega was experiencing problems brought on by the war. The circuit riders were having difficult times making their rounds. The local circuit required the pastor to travel 27 days to visit each church in his circuit. This did not leave the pastor much time to be alone with their own family.

My grandparents and their grandparents were here in the middle of this period of time of relocation and removal.

My grandmother was frightened to come to town. She almost lost her life in downtown Aubrey when a car hit her as she was crossing the street.

She always thought that someone wanted to kill her in this incident. There was a charge for "hit and run," but there was no one around to enforce the charge. The only witnesses were her friends and relatives, and they were too powerless to bring charges against the person who ran over her. Little was done about the incident, she just stayed home and made her own whiskey after that close call.

Hiding out was an accepted way of life, and was accepted by their family because there were so many strangers in the village.

Many people carried brass knuckles in their hip pockets and kept within a handy distance because they never knew when they might be attacked.

During my childhood and early adult life, I have witnessed many exciting fights take place without the local arresting police around. By the time the police arrived the fights would be over.

Some of the old recounts of fights tell that when a fight broke out, that by the time the fight had ended, the people fighting would be up walking around embracing each other and be best of friends. Fights would break out anywhere – in the middle of the streets and in the local businesses.

Most of the time, the local business owners would intervene and the fights were broken up.